New Building Regulations Aim to Improve Water Efficiency and Cut Household Bills

Following the government’s announcement last month of strict new Building Regulations on water saving for new properties, homeowners could soon see significant savings on their bills. The plans, announced on 23rd September 2025, are expected to help new build owners save more than £111 a year on water and energy costs.

The move is designed to tackle severe water shortage bottlenecks that have delayed development in parts of the country, including Cambridge and north Sussex. Under the new rules, all new homes will need to include water-saving measures such as aerated taps and dual-flush toilets, cutting water use by 20 litres per person each day.

But it’s not only new homeowners who can benefit. Existing homes can also improve their water efficiency with a few simple changes.

Practical advice for existing homeowners

Housing expert Nancy Emery from Drench explained:

“With the increases to our water bills, it’s best to be mindful of water consumption to ensure you’re not overspending unnecessarily.

“Installing a water meter can be a great way to measure your consumption and guarantee that you only pay for what you use. All new homes are typically fitted with one, and for older homes, it’s possible for you to install one for free on request. This could be a quick fix to help you regulate your water use and keep costs down.

“There are also a variety of household gadgets that can help, including water regulating shower heads, tap inserts which introduce air into the water flow and help reduce the amount of water and energy used, shower timers and water butts, along with simple tricks you can follow around the house.”

Six expert tips to save water in older homes

1. Install a tap aerator
   A tap aerator can cut water use by up to 10 litres per minute. They can be attached to kitchen or bathroom taps, shower heads and even hose pipes.

2. Fix leaky taps
   A dripping tap can waste over 450 litres of water a day – more than 175,000 litres a year – costing the average homeowner around £300 extra annually. Most leaks are caused by worn tap washers, which are easy to replace.

3. Switch to a water-saving shower head or flow regulator
   A water-saving shower head can reduce water use by up to 50%, while a flow regulator can limit the flow to between 4 and 10 litres per minute compared to the usual 10 to 15 litres.

4. Keep your shower head clean
   Limescale and mineral deposits can block nozzles, forcing you to use more water pressure. Soaking the shower head in a mix of vinegar and water for a few hours can help restore performance.

5. Reduce water pressure
   High water pressure can increase water use by 30%. The ideal level is between 2 and 4 bars. Installing or adjusting a pressure-reducing valve can prevent waste and lower bills.

6. Be mindful of dual flush use
   Around 30% of household water goes towards flushing the toilet. Dual flush systems use either six litres or three litres per flush, saving up to 24 litres of water per person daily. For older toilets, conversion kits are available to retrofit a dual flush mechanism.

While new builds will lead the way under the updated Building Regulations, homeowners everywhere can make small, affordable changes to help conserve water and reduce costs.